Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are complex and time-consuming endeavours. Companies seeking synergies that improve balance sheets and deliver increased shareholder value must be conscious of the risks and rewards present in every transaction...

In security-driven manoeuvres designed to reverse a decades-long trend toward increasingly open markets, western nations, the US in particular, are introducing stronger measures to vet foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign takeovers of strategic...

Though a relatively nascent technology, robotic process automation (RPA) is finding favour in the corporate world. Increasing productivity, agility and job satisfaction for employees, RPA is transforming working life. Through its ability to streamline...

Widely agreed to have been long-overdue for an overhaul, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the US, Canada and Mexico has been repurposed and refined – the result of much-needed modernisation and president...

At a time of great change for business, organisations and governments, the cyber risk landscape is becoming ever more complicated, persistent and data centric. Today, cyber criminals have substantial resources at their disposal, such as malware...

Businesses are able to increase their competitiveness in a variety of ways by dedicating time and resources to protecting their intellectual property (IP) assets. Without doubt, IP assets – such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs...

Virtually any company worth an investor’s interest will have demonstrated some level of financial hygiene, even if it is currently struggling. The concepts are familiar enough: strong ongoing business planning, profitable operating and pricing models...

For any company, even an allegation, much less the truth, of unethical or criminal behaviour may result in millions of dollars in legal fees, fines and penalties, reduced market capitalisation and, potentially, criminal liability. For example, Volkswagen’s diesel scandal...

We work in a world where being effective as a global business is essential. However, despite this, there is no single proven programme or discipline which provides leaders with the capabilities and competencies they need to succeed. If this is the case, then...

Legislative Decree No. 142 of 29 November 2018, published in the Italian Official Gazette on 28 December 2018, implemented Council Directive (EU) 2016/1164 of 12 July 2016, setting forth new rules against tax avoidance, known as the Anti Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD)...

On 29 August 2018, Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) announced the imposition of sanctions against MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTNN) and four commercial banks for the alleged “flagrant violation of extant laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. The CBN demanded that MTNN return to Nigeria some US$8.13bn, which the CBN claimed...

Business failures are an emotional subject. Inevitably, stakeholders lose out, some more than others. Insolvency laws change in response to perceived problems and the mantra is to improve the prospects of business rescue. With further legal changes...

The exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) is fast approaching. On 22 November 2018, it was announced that the EU and the UK had reached ‘an agreement in principle’ on their relationship after Brexit. On 25 November 2018...

In 2018, US enforcement authorities demonstrated their commitment to anti-money laundering (AML) compliance through prosecutions and resolutions with financial and non-financial institutions. This article will highlight 2018’s key enforcement actions...

When Croatia legislated to convert loans by Austrian banks denominated in Swiss francs into euros in 2015, after the Swiss franc surged in value, several affected banks made claims for compensation against the Croatian government. The banks brought their claims...